League round-up: Bothroyd double gives Capello a nudge

Jay Bothroyd, the Cardiff City striker on the radar of England coach Fabio Capello, scored twice as the Bluebirds won 4-2 at Scunthorpe United to go top of the Championship. Bothroyd's first, a tap-in, came after 75 seconds, his second was a glancing header, and between those goals he crossed for Michael Chopra to make it 3-0. The Iron staged a two-goal comeback, quashed by Seyi Olofinjana's late goal.

Can Bothroyd really step up to the international level? "That's why I recommended him for selection to the England team," Cardiff manager Dave Jones said. "He's having an excellent season for us, I think he finds himself at home with a club that really believes in him. We are the first club that have ever offered him a contract extension."

The deposed leaders, Queens Park Rangers, dominated at the City Ground but were held to a goalless draw by Nottingham Forest.

Substitute Luciano Becchio scored a second-half hat-trick as Leeds United beat Bristol City 3-1 to move into the top six, just behind Derby County. The Rams lost 2-0 at Leicester City, whose fourth win in six games under Sven-Goran Eriksson came courtesy of Andy King's 13th-minute shot and a Steve Howard penalty after 71 minutes.

Darren Ambrose's return to Crystal Palace after injury is reviving the strugglers. He scored both goals as they beat Coventry City 2-0 to move off the bottom. Graham Alexander's late penalty sealed Burnley's 3-2 defeat of Watford at Turf Moor, while three Yorkshire sides will have enjoyed their long journeys back North. Andy Reid, on loan from Sunderland, scored the goal as Sheffield United won 1-0 at Millwall, Barnsley won 3-1 at Ipswich Town and James Hayter, James Coppinger and David Healy were on target as Doncaster Rovers won 3-2 at Portsmouth.

League One

Leaders Brighton lost 3-1 at Hartlepool while Johnnie Jackson and Lee Martin scored two each as Charlton Athletic thrashed Peterborough United 5-1 at London Road to go second. For the second consecutive Saturday Josh McQuoid scored a hat-trick for Bournemouth who beat Walsall 3-0.

League Two

Shaun Harrad's shot on the turn saw Burton Albion win 2-1 at leaders Chesterfield, who had Derek Niven sent off at 1-1. It was the Spireites' first defeat at their new B2Net Stadium.